Byrnes ends TV show after 28 episodes

D-backs outfielder had some memorable moments on air

It appears "The Eric Byrnes Show," seen on Fox Sports Arizona, has come to an end after 28 episodes.

"I think it's run its course," the Diamondbacks outfielder told the Arizona Republic. "I think the success of the show is what kept it going and the fact that people watched and probably more people watched than we had expected."

Byrnes never expected the show to last as long as it did, but he found out that it wasn't just fans of the Diamondbacks who watched the show.

"I would say half the people that recognize me in public want to talk about baseball," he said. "The other half want to talk about the show."

He said the one show he will remember the most was the one about Saulo Morris, an 18-year-old Thunderbird High student who died of leukemia in December.

"That was by far my favorite show and probably the one show we had that actually had some significant meaning," Byrnes said.

Vargas, Weathers give bullpen a boost: David Weathers and Claudio Vargas have helped stabilize the Brewers' bullpen in recent weeks.

Entering Milwaukee's series with Chicago, the Brewers bullpen had a 0.52 ERA in its previous 17 1/3 innings covering five games. Opponents were hitting only .164 and had struck out 17 times. Vargas, who joined the team from the Dodgers on July 31, has posted a 2.25 ERA in 22 appearances. Weathers, brought in from Cincinnati on Aug. 9, has a 3.54 ERA in 20 games and a 1.50 in his last five outings.

"Vargas and Weathers have been tremendous pitchers out there," manager Ken Macha told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "I look at matchups. Weathers, in particular, has got good numbers against people in our division."

Reyes aiming for a return this season: Still hoping to play before the season ends, Jose Reyes is hitting indoors and plans to start running on Friday to test the torn right hamstring that has sidelined him since May.

"Nothing's impossible, so I am still trying. There's not too many games left, but I am still trying to play. I want to be there, and I will do my best to get there," Reyes told the New York Daily News. "It's very important for me to play again this season."

Cook to test shoulder strength with start: After a month rehab from a strained right shoulder, Aaron Cook will start for the Rockies against the Cardinals on Friday.

Danks has sights set on 200 innings: John Danks drew within 13 2/3 innings of 200 for the season after pitching six innings on Tuesday night.

"That's been a goal of mine since I've got to this level," Danks told MLB.com. I came within five innings last year. It's just one of those things. It's kind of a [high] watermark for a pitcher, and I'm going to try to do my best to get here."

LaPorta appears ready to take over at first base: Although nothing is set in stone quite yet, Matt LaPorta looks to be a favorite to be the full-time first baseman in Cleveland in 2010.

"I would think so," Indians manager Eric Wedge told MLB.com. "It obviously depends on if and what we do in the offseason, but I think [LaPorta] will be prepared for it. If we need him in the outfield, I think he's obviously good to go there, too."

Lee to get first taste of postseason: Cliff Lee, who has already pitched 220 innings, won't mind adding to that total in his first postseason.

"I feel good. I feel as strong as I have at any point in the season," Lee told MLB.com. "That's what you work all offseason for. To prepare for the end of the season and try to get into the postseason."

Pineiro turns to sinker for win No. 15: Joel Piniero allowed just one run over seven innings to get his 15th victory in the Cardinals' 11-2 win over the Astros on Tuesday.

"I had a good sinker today," Pineiro told MLB.com. "I trusted my sinker today a lot, like I've been doing all year, and I had a good one."

Johnson closing in on 200 innings: A little more than two years after undergoing Tommy John surgery, Josh Johnson is within two innings of reaching his goal of 200 for the season.

"We'll get there eventually. That was one of my goals coming into the year, pitching 200 innings. My body feels good. I'm almost there, so it's definitely a good thing for the future."

Desmond shows his versatility: Prospect Ian Desmond, auditioning for a job with the Nationals next season, has started at four different positions in his last four games.

"That's going to be an interesting call there," manager Jim Riggleman told the Washington Post when asked about Desmond's future position. "He's just such a good athlete. I keep hearing from people that say his best position on the field might be center field. ... Ian's versatility is going to really give the club a lot of options, [in] that he can play several places on the field and contribute in a lot of ways.

"He's a ballplayer. He's not necessarily a second baseman or a shortstop. He's going to be whatever we need him to be, and I think he's going to be a good one."

Wilson making run at postseason spot: Rookie Bobby Wilson has played in only seven games in the Majors, but the Angels are thinking of putting him on the playoff roster as they mull carrying three catchers in the postseason.

"I'm ready for the challenge," Wilson told the Los Angeles Times. "There weren't any nerves in Boston. Once you get out there, it's baseball, just on a bigger stage. I was a little surprised how comfortable I was. I wasn't intimidated or scared."

Lopez blasts 25th homer: Jose Lopez hit his 25th home run of the season on Tuesday to lift Seattle to a 4-3 win over Tampa Bay. That total is a career-high in homers for the Mariners second baseman, whose previous best was 17.

Early in the year, Lopez struggled with the death of the sister who helped raise him back in Venezuela. Two years before that, he dealt with the death of his brother Gabriel in a motorcycle accident.

"I told myself, this is my family, but this is my job, too," Lopez told the Seattle Times. "I need to keep strong. My family members have died, but I don't want to throw my job away. I want to keep going. And the way for me to help my family now is for me to keep doing well at my job."

Scutaro slowed by plantar fasciitis: Marco Scutaro has played with plantar fasciitis since late July. On Sunday, the pain intensified during the Blue Jays' game against Tampa Bay.

"[Saturday] was great," Scutaro, who leads the team with 100 runs, told the Toronto Star. "Now look what happened."

During the sixth inning, Scutaro felt a pop in his right heal while fielding a ground ball. The pain he felt sent him to the turf. The good news was that a quick exam in the clubhouse after he was taken off the field determined that he felt some scar tissue tearing.

"We're going to have to run some tests ... and see what's really going on," manager Cito Gaston said. "Maybe we're going to have to shut him down the rest of the year -- I'm not sure."

Jurrjens stays perfect against Mets: Jair Jurrjens ran his record against the Mets to 4-0 this season as he pitched seven innings of one-run ball in a 3-1 victory on Tuesday night. Jurrjens' ERA against New York sits at 1.60 after five games versus the division rival.

"One of those nights where you don't have your fastball and you have to pitch, not be a thrower," Jurrjens, who raised his overall record to 13-10, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

"The comments I hear from the opposing team about J.J.," third baseman Chipper Jones said, "are, 'This guy is incredibly poised. He knows how to pitch. He's able to pitch with three pitches, has enough power to blow you away and enough finesse to keep you off-balance.'

"Those are things you like to hear about pitchers on your staff. ... He's had some bad luck, or he'd be in the running for the Cy Young."